SASSA KZN Lauded for Digital and Biometric Advancements

The Portfolio Committee on Social Development has expressed appreciation for the progress made by the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) regional office of the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) in modernising service delivery. This follows the successful implementation of the digital income verification process and the biometric registration of social grant beneficiaries. These efforts mark a significant step towards improving the integrity and efficiency of the country’s social assistance framework.

During the committee’s oversight visit to the province, members received a detailed briefing from SASSA officials at the Ilembe District Municipality offices. KZN Regional Manager, Ms Thamo Mzobe, confirmed that the Beneficiary Biometric Enrolment (BBE) system had been fully implemented on 1 September 2025. All 82 local offices across the province have been equipped for biometric enrolment, and 901 officials have been trained to operate the system. Of these, 748 have already been migrated to the BBE platform, with fingerprint scanners deployed to all offices to strengthen security and ensure more accurate verification of beneficiaries.

Ms Mzobe also provided an update on the region’s income verification process, which involves checking beneficiary records for possible irregularities. She reported that 38 officials have been deployed to the Records Management Centre to manage the review of identified cases. Currently, 184,828 cases are under review, focusing on individuals flagged by credit bureaus for economic activity while receiving grants, and those with multiple bank accounts or duplicate identity document numbers. So far, 77,287 cases—representing 77 percent—have been completed, and the remaining 107,541 are expected to be finalised by the end of the financial year.

The Portfolio Committee commended the SASSA KZN regional office for its dedication and progress. It urged the agency to continue addressing remaining challenges promptly to ensure that all beneficiaries receive fair and accurate service. Members highlighted that the use of digital systems like the BBE and income verification tools would significantly enhance transparency and accountability in social grant administration.

As part of the visit, the committee also conducted a site inspection at the SASSA local office in Stanger, where members engaged directly with staff and observed daily operations. Committee Chairperson, Ms Bridget Masango, expressed gratitude for the detailed presentations and constructive discussions, noting that the oversight engagement provided valuable insights into the legal and regulatory frameworks underpinning the government’s social assistance programmes.

In continuation of its oversight mission, the committee will hold a public engagement session at the Lindiwe Tshabalala Hall in Emandeni at 10:00 AM. The meeting aims to provide a platform for beneficiaries and stakeholders—including older persons, people with disabilities, caregivers, youth, traditional leaders, faith-based organisations, and civil society groups—to share their experiences and concerns about social assistance services in the province. This engagement reflects Parliament’s ongoing commitment to ensuring transparency, accountability, and improved service delivery for all South Africans.